Alumni Stories

Adam Halberg

Culinary Arts

Nobody is going to make it easier or harder for you. Success comes from within. You must push yourself.
Adam Halberg
, Senior Vice President - Culinary for Barteca
Associate of Arts in Culinary Arts,
2000 , The Art Institute of Atlanta

Senior Vice President - Culinary for Barteca

Adam Halberg is a senior vice president - culinary for Barteca, a company that designs stylish, fun, and accessible restaurants. He works at the company’s Connecticut headquarters and oversees all culinary operations for the company’s “Bartaco” and “Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant” locations. Adam’s tip for a successful restaurant is to build a team of talented, creative people. “Give them rules and then challenge them to break those rules.”

Adam says that every job he’s held brought benefits to him as a culinary artist. He urges budding chefs to understand the commitment needed to succeed in this industry, adding that restaurants do not allow for complacency, because complacency leads to slips in quality. “Nobody is going to make it easier or harder for you. Success comes from within. You must push yourself.”

Adam, who in 2000 earned an Associate in Arts in Culinary Arts from The Art Institute of Atlanta, says that his culinary education provided solid exposure to a wide range of culinary traditions and techniques. Today, he is fortunate to work with colleagues who, like him, constantly strive for excellence. “There are a limited number of people who can completely and consistently self-motivate. Working with a dynamic team helps everyone, including me, [to strive] to do better.”